Evaluating the electrical impedance and mucus-related gene expression of uterine endometrial tissues in mares

Abstract

We investigated the electrical impedance of the reproductive tracts (vagina and uterine endometrial tissues) and the expression of mucus-related genes to identify the stage of the estrous cycle in mares. We first examined vaginal impedance in native Hokkaido mares during their estrous cycle and found no significant differences. However, impedance levels tended to decrease towards ovulation. Furthermore, we investigated the estrous cycle by measuring the electrical impedance of the uterine endometrial tissues obtained from carcasses of mares. We found that impedance levels in the endometrial tissues decreased in the regressed phase of the corpus luteum (CL). Expression of mucus-related genes (ATP1A1, CFTR, AQP3, and AQP5) varied at different stages of the estrous cycle. Among them, AQP3 expression was consistent with previous reports. We concluded that electrical impedance in the uterine endometrial tissues of mares could be potentially used to verify the presence of active CL in horses for experimental purposes. However, further studies are needed to determine the reference value and to identify the day of the estrous cycle in mares.